Slatted floor-covering



(No Model.)

H. W. WAY'OOTT. SLATTED FLOOR COVERING.

No. 420,369. Patented JaQn. 28, 1890*.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HEDLEY WILLIAM 'WAYCOTT, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

'SLATTED FLOOR-COVERING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 420,369, dated January 28, 1890.

Application filed May 10, 1888- Serial No. 273,421. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IEDLEY WILLIAM WAY- COTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Slatted Floor-Coverings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. I

This invention relates to certain details of construction hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this application, Figure 1 is a plan View of my slatted floor-covering. Fig. 2 is a view of the under side of one of the slats. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same. Fig. l is an end view of a few slats. Figs. 5, 5 and 5 are detail views, and Fig. 6 a modified form of look.

I am aware that wooden mats or floor-coverings are constructed of strips or slats united by flexible connections adapted to permit the same to be rolled or folded; but my construction differs from these'in the additional function of enabling the slats to be shifted laterally, and also to be locked in such position.

Referring to the drawings, A, A, &c., represent the slats, which are united at their ends and center by means of links, the latter being pivoted to the slats and joined to each other by fastenin gs. These links I sometimes make single, but more often double. The double links B consist each of two short sections 1) b, pivoted together to the slat A, and one I) having a tongue 0 at its outer end and the other 1) an eyelet G. This form of link is shown at the extremities of the slat in Fig. 2, and also in Figs. 5, 5", and 5. The other form of link consists of the single length of metal 13, pivoted at its center to the slat A, and having an eyelet O at one end and the tongue C at its other end. This single link 13 is shown at the center of the slat A in Fig. 2, and also in Fig. 4:. The tongues O are made to fit quite loosely in the eyelets O, in order that the links 13' can have a free relative oscil lation in the plane of the slats. These links I usually pivot at the ends of the slats in slits E, as shown at the right hand of Figs. 2 and 3. For the links pivoted at the centers of the slats I form in the under side of said slats the recesses D. Said recesses are usually made in the shape of an hour-glass, to permit the angular movement of the link pivoted therein. This shape is not, however, essential.

The fastenings for securing the links together are adapted to not only permit of the pivotal play of the links, but are so arranged as to enable the slats to be rolled or folded together. In making these fastenings I form the linkb of the double links B with a tongue G, and form the other link I) with an eyelet O, as shown in Figs. 5, 5 and 5 This tongue 0 of the link I) is passed through the eyelet O of the link b and bent over until its end, which is split, enters the small aperture O in the link I) at the base of said tongue. The bifurcations made by said splits being bent over against the body of the link in opposite directions, as shown in Fig. 5, the tongue forms a durable and cheap fastening for loosely joining the two links. The slits E and recesses D should be wide enough to permit the desired lateral play of the links, and hence the adjustment of the mat, as represented at the left-hand part of Fig. 1.

The other feature of my invention, which consists in the means for locking the slats in any position, either normal or angular, is constructed as follows: A short length of spring-wire F is fastened rigidly at one end to one slat and adapted to enter any of several eyes G in the side of the next slat. I prefer to fasten the Wire F to a slat by bending one end at right angles, forming a spur F and driving said spur into the side of the slat, and further secure the same by means of the staple I, straddling the wire, as in Fig. 1. To fortify the eyes G, I secure over the same a correspondingly-apertured plat-e G. In manipulating the locks all that is necessary is to raise the free ends F of the wires until disengaged from an eye in the plates G and shift the slats as desired, when said ends spring into engagement, each with a new eye. The band or finger F at the free end of each wire is made only long enough to enter a short distance into the eyes G, so that when the mat is being rolled up said fingers automatically disengage from the eyes.

The slats can of course be made of any kind of durable and ornamental wood, and the links made of sheet brass. There may be a lock for each pair of slats, 01' simply each other pair.

The loose fastenings C O,joining the links B, enable the mat to be snugly rolled to gether for ease in removal or compactness in storage and transportation, while the pivotal arrangement of the links permits the slats to be adjusted so that the mat can lie in any direction, however irregular the course.

I design my slatted floor covering or mat to be used in hallways, aisles of churches, schools, horse-cars, and other places Where durability in floor-coverings is desired; but its feature of angular adjustment adapts it particularly for use in hallways or aisles which are other than straight in direction. The fastenings C C may be omitted and the links pivoted directly together; but as it is desirable to have the mat capable of being rolled up the construction shown is deemed preferable.

In the lock shown in Fig. 6 a bar F is pressed by spring f into engagement with the pin f, projecting from the next slat, the bar F being perforated.

As a general term to designate the Wire F and the bar F, I use the expression lockingbar.

What I claim as new is- 1. In a slatted floor covering or mat, the combination, with the slats, of links pivoted thereto and attached to each other so as to turn horizontally, whereby the mat can be laterally adjusted.

2. In a slatted floor covering or mat, the combination, with the slats, of links pivoted thereto, as set forth, and the fastenings uniting the outer ends of the links, whereby the slats are rendered laterally adjustable.

3. In a slatted floor covering or mat, the combination, with the slats loosely secured together, of the locks consisting each of a locking-bar extending from one slat to another, and of means for adjustably securing said locking-bar to said latter slat, substantially as set forth.

4:. The combination, with the loosely-united slats formed with eyes, of the locks consisting each of a spring-Wire secured to a slat and adapted to engage an eye in a neighboring one of said slats, as set forth.

5. The combination, with theloosely-united slats, of the locks consisting each of the spring-wire F, having spur F and finger F, the staple I, and plate G, having eyes G, as set forth.

6. In a slatted floor covering or mat, the combination of the slats A, having recesses D and terminal slits E, the links B, pivoted therein, and the fastenings (J O, joining the outer ends of the links.

7. The combination, with the slats, of the links B, pivoted thereto, said links being united by means of the fastenings C C, which consist each of an eyelet 0, formed in one link of each pair,and of the tongue 0, formed on the other link of each pair, whereby the slats are rendered laterally adjustable.

In testimony Wh ereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IIEDLE Y WILLIAM XVAYCOTT.

Witnesses:

JAS. B. NEWKIRK, Ms. E. WRIGHT. 

